gender enforcement

[metaphortunate]

Things the baby has ostensibly done recently to cause people to say "Wow, you've really got a boy there, haven't you?"

1) Opened kitchen drawer, flung out piece of tupperware
2) Climbed up slide at playground

Things I believe the baby has ACTUALLY done recently to cause people to say "Wow, you've really got a boy there, haven't you?"

Received a short haircut.

Reason for hypothesis

Previous to the haircut, the most common question upon meeting him was "Boy or girl?"

Alternate hypothesis

Perhaps the haircut has caused him to behave in a more masculine fashion?

Evidence supporting alternate hypothesis

None. Baby behavior has not noticeably changed.

Evidence supporting initial hypothesis

People are extremely good at finding patterns and then noticing evidence to support those patterns and discarding evidence that does not.

Conclusion

GRRARGH PEOPLE WHY YOU GOTTA BE LIKE THAT.

Comments

[tam_nonlinear]

I am amazingly tired and stupid from it at present, and somehow confused you with someone else on my friendslist, and therefore read your post in utter confusion, because the person I was confusing you with is a) still pregnant b) expecting a girl. I wondered how the fetus was managing all that physical activity, and assumed this was all meant metaphorically. Although the parts about imposing gendered readings still made perfect sense. Then I reread to clear up my confusion. Maybe everyone else in the world just needs more sleep too, because they still seem confused.

Now I'm going to get some sleep. Finally.

[metaphortunate]

I second this motion, and will also go get some sleep soon! Yay, sleep for all!